recomend other hotel in VB?

[berly1657]

we have relatives who would like to vacation with us at Vero Beach. They are wondering if there are other nice hotels near Disney VB resort and if VB is gated? Would they be free to come and go at VB to visit us?

Unfortunately we do not have enough points for them to stay with us.

 

[kweaver]

The top five resorts listed in Travelocity are:

Disney's Vero Beach Resort
The Reef Ocean Resort
The Islander Inn
Driftwood Resort
South Beach Motel & Resort

I haven't stayed in any of them...and I don't know how they rate them...but it's a place to start.

 

[Quadman]

Have you considered having them pay cash using your DVC discount on rooms at Vero Beach resort? The cash rates are really pretty good.....

As far as Vero Beach Resort being gated, there is a gaurd, and I am not sure where non staying guests would park (you do need a room key to get into parking, the pool, and the beach), or if they could have access to the pool as your guest. But I suspect that if they accessed the beach from some other point you could always meet up with them on the sand......

Another thought would be to have them pay you so that you could rent some additional pts and upgrade to a 1 or 2 bdrm (if that works out cost wise)...

Anyway, hope some of this helps. You'll get some other replies here too Im sure.

 

[pumpkinboy]

I agree with our Montréalais colleague, Quadman. If your visit is soon (like before February school vacation) you might see if and when there are special offers for VB. Last year until the second week of February they were offering VB studios for $99 for Disney Visa cardholders! Mousesavers.com tracks discounts at VB, and I have found it to be a good source. Otherwise, have them fund you to go out and rent the necessary points off the rent/trade board.

Even if they pay rack rate, it's a very good value for money, IMO. We are looking forward to our MLK weekend visit in January '05. We are going with another family for 5 nights; we are paying cash for the high points weekend nights (DVC discount on our room) and points for the weeknights. Our friends are gonna pick up the cash nights and we're covering the points nights - a pretty even split if you value the points at $10 each. Such an arrangement might work for you too.

There may be other hotels in VB, but we adored the Disney property when we were there this past January. Magnificent architecture and facilities, a nice soft beach, and pretty decent on-site restaurants (with great service). We only left the resort to get a few groceries, visit Hale Groves for citrus (yum!) and one expedition down to the Manatee center in Fort Pearce. When I am in the Treasure Coast area, I really don't want to stay anywhere else from now on.

Good luck, and enjoy VB.

 

[floridafam]

I think the Driftwood Resort is still closed. There is a sign out front that says they will re-open at some point. They look pretty heavily damaged.

I would keep an eye out for discounts at the resort. Sometimes, these are better than any rate you will get at a hotel in town.

 

[PamOKW]

The Disney Vero Resort is located in a high-end residential area so there are no other resorts "right there". As you may have seen mentioned, it's really Wabasso/Orchid Island and not Vero Beach proper.

A drive down A1A (I don't think it's no more than 15 minutes) will take you to the area along the water where more resorts are located. I don't know how it fared in the hurricane and if/when it will open but the Holiday Inn in Vero is very nice and is located right on the ocean.

If they really want to find less expensive options, they should move inland. It will be a longer drive to see you but out by the outlet center on SR-60 there are some hotels as well.

People who are visiting the resort for dinner, etc. are instructed to park in the lot across the street. They then use the tunnel to walk under A1A. The hotel is a public space so they could certainly come into the resort. I think they've now put a gate to the beach access so you'd have to help them out on that one. The beach itself all along Florida is open to everyone. There is also a public beach with lifeguards right next door. They took a real beating in the hurricane but I'm sure it'll be up again before long.

 

[berly1657]

How do I find out if I can get a discount with my DVC?

Will they allow me to put it in our guests name or would we have to switch our dvc room (in our name) to their name?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Originally posted by berly1657
How do I find out if I can get a discount with my DVC?

Will they allow me to put it in our guests name or would we have to switch our dvc room (in our name) to their name?

Call member services to see if the member discount is available. You will have to book the room in your name to get the member discount, since the member is supposed to be staying in the room to qualify for the 25% member discount. We were able to book the last night of our stay for next January at the discount (with the rest of the stay at the Sunday-Thursday points rate).

Ralph

 

[PamOKW]

Hmmm....just posted this and now it's gone?

I wanted to mention that Gloria Estefan and her husband purchased the Palm Court Resort on the ocean in Vero earlier this year. They suffered damage in the storm and also are not exactly a discount hotel (although not outrageous).

One link is to the resort (including updates) and the other is an article from earlier this year. It mentions that they also own a home in the area -- but will keep Miami as their main residence.

I guess the word is getting out about how wonderful Vero can be.


Article on Estefan purchase

Palm Court